A Colombian girl dwelling illegally in the US lived below a stolen id for greater than 20 years, improperly acquired greater than $400,000 in stolen federal advantages, and illegally voted within the 2024 presidential election, federal prosecutors stated Thursday.
Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 59, additionally obtained welfare advantages, a REAL ID and eight different state ID’s, the Justice Division stated.
Orovio-Hernandez allegedly used the stolen id to submit a fraudulent voter registration in January 2023, and forged a poll in final yr’s presidential election, prosecutors stated.
She was captured on surveillance digicam at a financial institution sporting an “I voted” sticker on Nov. 5, 2024, Election Day, in response to courtroom paperwork.
She is charged with false illustration of a Social Safety quantity; making a false assertion in an utility for a United States passport; aggravated id theft; receiving stolen authorities cash or property; fraudulent voter registration; and fraudulent voting.
Orovio-Hernandez has been held in federal custody since February, when she was charged with id theft and different offenses.
Authorities stated Orovio-Hernandez improperly acquired $400,000 in federal advantages: $259,589 in Part 8 rental help advantages from October 2011 by way of January 2025; $101,257 in Social Safety incapacity advantages from July 2014 by way of January; and $43,348 in Supplemental Diet Help Program advantages or SNAP, from April 2005 by way of January.
“For greater than 20 years, this defendant is alleged to have constructed a life-time on the inspiration of a stolen id – together with illegally voting in our presidential election and gathering a whole lot of hundreds of {dollars} in authorities advantages meant for People in want,” stated US Lawyer Leah B. Foley.
“The suitable to vote is without doubt one of the many privileges of being a US citizen. Authorities funded packages for these in want are meant to be security nets for these dwelling in our nation lawfully – not assist an unlawful alien and not using a proper to be right here.”
She additionally utilized for a US passport, claiming to be a US citizen who was born in Puerto Rico, authorities stated.
Orovio-Hernandez wasn’t entitled to any of the advantages she acquired, stated Foley, citing her unlawful presence within the US.
“Stealing somebody’s id to unlawfully get hold of Social Safety advantages is not only theft—it’s a long-term abuse of a system meant to assist these actually in want,” stated Amy Connelly, the particular agent in cost for the Social Safety Administration (SSA), Workplace of the Inspector Common within the Boston-New York discipline division.
